Did you know that Lee County, Florida was established in 1887? A lot has changed in this region over the years. Today, it’s become one of the most desirable places to live in all of Florida. It’s home to some fantastic cities, such as Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

If you’re looking for land for sale in Fort Myers or Cape Coral, you may be wondering what you should look for. What features are important to look for when choosing land, particularly quality land in Florida? What should you avoid?

Keep reading and learn how to find your dream land in Lee County’s top-rated locations.

The Current State of the Land Market in Lee County

The land market in Florida is booming, and Lee County is no exception. Since much of Lee County lines the coast, this makes the land in this area highly sought-after. This is because most people would give anything to get a piece of land along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.

The weather in this area is also very warm, breezy, and tropical. The main problem is that land for sale in Cape Coral and Fort Myers is expensive. This is not too surprising considering that this is prime real estate.

Florida real estate is also more expensive than land in most other areas of the United States. Lee County’s land market is currently a seller’s market. This means it would be more beneficial to sell land rather than buy it because of the high prices.

But this does not exclude buyers from the mix. There are still plenty of opportunities to buy land here, but you may have to pay top dollar. You also have to consider how fast properties sell in this area.

A Seller’s Market

In a seller’s market, land for sale will sell very quickly. If you have your eye on a piece of land that you love, it’s best not to wait. If you wait too long, you will miss out. Land goes fast, so the plot you’re looking at will soon be bought up by someone else.

For a small piece of land in this area, you should expect to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if the land is near the water. If you look further inland, you may find land for less than a hundred thousand. However, you won’t be able to get much more than a couple of acres of land for this price.

This may sound like a lot, and it is, but consider what you’re getting: the land in Lee County is right next to the water. This naturally makes it more expensive and also more beautiful.

There are also many interesting and fun things to do in Lee County. You can go to the beach, eat at the many great restaurants, and so on. This also increases the price of the land here.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Land

Before you buy any land in Florida, do your research. Be sure you’re familiar with the zoning restrictions. These restrictions may keep you from doing what you want with the land. Suppose you want to buy land so you can build a house.

You may want to build a very small house. But the zoning restrictions may require you to build a house that is no smaller than a certain size. This can throw a wrench in your plans if you’re not doing enough research.

Zoning restrictions may also limit you on certain structures and other features you can add to the land. If the restrictions don’t line up at all with what you want to do with the land, Lee County may not be a good location for you. The good news is that the zoning restrictions in this area aren’t too terrible.

The other thing you should consider is whether or not a piece of land is in a flood zone. There are many flood zones in Florida, and these areas can become dangerous during hurricanes and bad storms. It is also very expensive to recover a house that has been flooded.

You’ll also have to deal with flood insurance woes. It’s best to avoid these areas if you can.

Different Land Options

Think about the type of land you want as well.

Do you want to get a plot with lots of woodlands? Or would you prefer a clear lot that’s ready for a house or other building to be built? Or maybe you would prefer a beachfront property or something with a pond?

All of these are important to consider before you buy anything. Consider the orientation of the plot and how the sunlight hits it. You may want to test the soil, too.

This is important if you plan on doing any gardening or using the soil for any reason.

Top-Rated Locations in Lee County

The best locations in Lee County are Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Cape Coral is the largest city in this county. It runs along the Caloosahatchee River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico.

There are many houses and businesses dotted along this river. There are plenty of boat docks, decks, kayak routes, and other features that make it easy to enjoy the coast. Cape Coral is a beautiful area filled with luxury apartment complexes, hotels, restaurants, museums, and more.

Getting a piece of land here may be tricky. This is because the city is pretty compact. Most of it has already been developed.

You may have to get a piece of land outside of the central area if you want to live here. You should also expect to pay a premium price. If the sunshine and proximity to the ocean are important to you, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Your Best Options

Fort Myers is right next to Cape Coral and also borders the Caloosahatchee River. It may be a smaller city, but it still has plenty to offer. You will find many restaurants and other establishments dotted throughout.

There are also plenty of shops, plazas, and fountains to enjoy. If you want to be as close to the ocean as possible, consider getting land on Pine Island. This is a large, long island off the coast of Cape Coral.

It is full of residential buildings and plots of land. It also gets a beautiful and near-constant breeze from the Gulf. If you’re looking for something more inland, consider Lehigh Acres.

This is a mostly residential area that sprawls across many miles. The land here is more affordable since it is further away from the water.

The Land Purchasing Process and Working With Real Estate Professionals

When you find a piece of land that you like, make sure that you can finance it. There are many ways you can finance a piece of land, so this shouldn’t be a problem. You will also need to deal with the title policy and get a land survey.

You may also want to consider the utilities. Does electricity already run to the property? What about the water source?

Do you plan on getting a land loan or a mortgage? You then have to face the closing costs, which can be expensive. If you are unsure how to navigate through all these factors, consider working with a real estate professional.

A real estate agent can make this process much easier. They can help you find the perfect plot of land for your preferences and needs. They can also help you stay within your budget when choosing a plot.

Once you find what you’re looking for, the agent can help guide you through the purchasing process. This can reduce stress and make the process go faster. It also ensures that you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting yourself.

You will have to sign a lot of paperwork to make the purchase official. The real estate agent will explain these documents to you and why you have to sign them. They will also give you a better idea of how long the purchasing process will take.

It may take some time before you officially own the land. After everything is sorted out, you can finally use the land for whatever you see fit.

Buying Land for Sale, Fort Myers, and the Rest of Lee County

Lee County is a fantastic place to buy land since it is so close to the water. Buying land for sale in Fort Myers or elsewhere won’t be anything you’ll regret anytime soon. Once you get a plot in Lee County, you’ll discover all the amazing things you can do there.

Are you ready to learn more about land in this area? Check out how our services can help you.

By Kristin Digioia

May 3, 2023